Rio Ferdinand says he’s heard that Arsenal are trying to make a really unnecessary signing, it’s not needed

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Arsenal have made six new signings this summer.

The Gunners have been very active in the transfer window under Andrea Berta, who has won fans over since taking Edu Gaspar’s job in March.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres have all come in already, but Arsenal are not done just yet.

The next name on Berta’s wish list is Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.

Rio Ferdinand thinks Arsenal don’t need Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze is the dream target for many Arsenal fans in this window.

The Gunners view the Crystal Palace star as a number 10 who can also play in other attacking areas, but that has caused some confusion in Rio Ferdinand’s mind.

That’s because Arsenal already have Martin Odegaard as an attacking midfielder, while youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman can also play there.

When you look at it that way, you would think that there is no need for Eze, especially as Declan Rice occupies the left-sided number eight role.

That is why Ferdinand believes that signing Eze is unnecessary for Arsenal.

He said on his podcast: “I don’t think Arsenal need Eze. Why do Arsenal need Eze? Where is he going to play?

“You’ve got Zubimendi as a holding midfielder, Declan on the left-hand side of the No.8, Odegaard on the right-hand side. Then you’ve got a winger – out of Madueke or Martinelli…

“I think he is that eight on the inside. Declan is playing there. If Declan played as a holding midfielder, I’m taking Eze in a heartbeat.”

Arsenal need Eberechi Eze for one key reason

Ferdinand is right, Eze is unlikely to be an immediate starter if he joins Arsenal.

The Gunners aren’t going to drop Rice under any circumstances, while Odegaard is the club captain, and it is difficult to imagine him sitting on the bench.

What Eze would bring to Arsenal, however, is some much-needed squad depth in case they suffer from injuries again, and Ferdinand admitted that later on his podcast.

“Yeah, he gives you depth,” he said. “You could move it about. If Declan gets injured, who have you got?”